HOW TO MEAL PLAN FOR THE WEEK AHEAD

Does hearing 'What's for dinner?' make your skin crawl? It's easy to get bored of cooking when you're doing it day in and day out, but it doesn't have to be something you dread every night.

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Taking a few hours every week to plan your meals for the upcoming week takes the guesswork out of what to make, minimises waste and ends up being easier on the pocket too. Here’s how to get started:

Plan your meals in advance
Meal planning shouldn't be a rushed job. Dedicate a day to planning your meals for the week and make a shopping list. Some people find Sunday ideal as you're less likely to have a full day of plans.

Take inventory of what you already have in your pantry and fridge before you start planning or go to the shops. This avoids unnecessary food waste and prevents you from doubling up on ingredients you already have at home.

Plan meals around the season and what's on special
Buying fruits and vegetables that are in season is the cheapest option, especially when you can find bulk deals for produce. Plus, by buying seasonal ingredients, you're supporting local farmers and boosting the economy – and seasonal fruits and veggies just taste best!

Look for inspiration online
Make Google your best friend when meal planning! Visual content platforms like Pinterest, Instagram and TikTok work best as they have useful bookmarking tools that will let you see what you've saved at a quick glance. These sites are also packed with inspiration for what to pack and how to do it.

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You might be tempted to use multiple folder locations but make it easier for yourself by keeping all your recipes in one place. Evernote is a useful web-clipper app for computers and smartphones that can also be installed as a browser extension. When you come across a recipe you like, pin it to the Evernote app and access it later.

Opt for freezer-friendly meals
Bless the soul who invented the freezer. It not only helps you avoid eating the same meal three nights in a row but will come in handy on days when you don't feel like cooking, or when you don't have time to throw something together.

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Aim for simple meals that can be easily portioned, thawed and reheated, such as baked pasta dishes, chilli con carne, stews and soups. Mark each item with a date and follow the rule of FIFO (first-in, first-out) to keep track of which meals need to be eaten first. TIP: avoid freezing dishes that contain cream as it doesn't freeze well.

Choose a theme night
If you're overwhelmed by all the options and want to side-step having to think of new recipes every week, theme nights can come in handy. Plus, children thrive on routine. Ask your family of which meals you already prepare they’d like to have more regularly or introduce a new theme like Meatless Monday.

Make ingredients go further by using them multiple ways
Certain ingredients can be repurposed in different ways. The flesh of leftover roast chicken, for example, can be shredded for chicken mayo sarmies, chicken salad, chicken noodle soup and quesadillas, and the carcass can be used to make a delicious stock.